Sheppard (back) is out for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
This will be Sheppard's second straight game on the sidelines, and for now, he should be viewed as questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics. Fred VanVleet (knee) will join Sheppard on the inactive list for Saturday's game, paving the way for Marcus Smart to start.
Houston picked up Sheppard's (back) fourth-year team option Friday, per Lachard Binkley of SI.com.
This decision is a no-brainer after the Rockets chose Sheppard in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Sheppard, who remains out for Friday's game versus Dallas, is a key cog in the backcourt rotation when healthy.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Ruled out for Friday
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Sheppard (back) is out for Friday's game against the Mavericks.
The combo guard is sitting out the front end of this back-to-back set. With Sheppard getting Friday night off, Tari Eason should be able to maintain a prominent role off the bench even if Alperen Sengun (back) returns to action.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Shifting to bench
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Sheppard will come off the bench for Monday's game against the Hawks, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
Sheppard drew the start Saturday in Fred VanVleet's absence, but the 22-year-old will retreat to the bench Monday with VanVleet back in action. Sheppard logged 16 minutes off the bench in the season opener, though he could see more minutes Monday with Marcus Smart (arm) ruled out.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Nets 19 points with seven assists
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Sheppard totaled 19 points (7-13 FG, 5-11 3Pt), six rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three turnovers across 30 minutes in Saturday's 121-114 win over the Hawks.
With Saturday's game being the second of a back-to-back set, Fred VanVleet (knee) was given a maintenance day, allowing Sheppard to move into the first unit. He took full advantage of the increased opportunity, finishing as Houston's second-leading scorer while pouring in a game-high five triples. As good as he was, he'll likely shift back to a reserve role for Monday's rematch with Atlanta, with VanVleet expected to return.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Starting vs. Atlanta
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Sheppard is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Hawks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Sheppard is back after a one-game absence and is being moved straight into the first unit with Fred VanVleet (knee) out. Sheppard was limited to 16 minutes in the season opener against the Mavericks on Wednesday, tallying three points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. He should be in line for expanded playing time here.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Will play Saturday
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Sheppard (knee) is good to go for Saturday's game in Atlanta, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Sheppard is back after a one-game absence, and with Fred VanVleet (knee) sitting out Saturday's game, Sheppard will have an opportunity to start. If he gets the starting nod, he would make for an intriguing plug-and-play option in daily fantasy leagues.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Questionable to play Saturday
Rotowire
Sheppard (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Sheppard is in danger of missing a second straight game with a left knee bone bruise. If he joins Fred VanVleet (knee) on the inactive list, Marcus Smart and Bruce Thornton would likely see increased minutes.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Sheppard (knee) is out for Friday's game in San Antonio.
Sheppard was listed as doubtful and now we have official confirmation that he'll be inactive. With Sheppard unavailable, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic will have the chance for some extra minutes.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Not expected to play Friday
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Head coach Ime Udoka said Sheppard (knee) is unlikely to play in Friday's game against the Spurs, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Sheppard sustained a left knee bone bruise in Wednesday's season-opening win over Dallas and is not expected to play in the front end of this back-to-back set. If he's unable to play, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic would likely see increased burn.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Questionable to face San Antonio
Rotowire
Sheppard (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Sheppard is in danger of missing the front end of this back-to-back set due to a left knee bone bruise. If the 22-year-old guard is ultimately ruled out, Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic would be candidates for increased playing time off the bench.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Hits three triples off bench
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Sheppard supplied 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-8 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 16 minutes in Thursday's 116-89 preseason win against the Thunder.
Sheppard made three of Houston's 17 three-pointers while contributing five rebounds and three assists without committing a turnover. The guard continued to demonstrate his perimeter shooting ability, though his eight attempts from deep accounted for nearly all of his offensive opportunities. He'll compete for playing time in a crowded Rockets backcourt featuring Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and Marcus Smart.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Rotating to bench
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Sheppard isn't starting Thursday's preseason game against the Thunder, Jackson Gatlin of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Sheppard drew a spot start Sunday against Dallas, and he took full advantage by dropping 17 points in 25 minutes. However, he'll return to a bench role Thursday in the preseason finale.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Sinks four triples in win
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Sheppard produced 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-7 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.
Sheppard has shown flashes of his upside during his first two years in Houston, but he hasn't been able to put everything together, and things aren't going to get easier in terms of playing time. Fred VanVleet is healthy after missing all of last season with an ACL tear. The Rockets also signed Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic this offseason, plus they drafted Bruce Thornton. Sheppard should still have a role, but it's unclear if it'll be enough minutes to be fantasy relevant.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Struggles in Game 6 defeat
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Sheppard totaled 10 points (4-19 FG, 1-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one assist, two blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Sheppard struggled offensively during Friday's loss and reached the double-digit points mark only because of his shooting volume. He finished the series having averaged 12.2 points on just 30.7 percent shooting (including 29.6 percent from three on 9.0 3PA/G) along with 4.7 assists, 1.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over 32.2 minutes per contest. Sheppard saw his playing time increase shortly before and during the playoffs, but his role with the Rockets for the 2026-27 season could shrink due to the return of Fred VanVleet (knee).
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Drains four treys in Game 4 win
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Sheppard logged 17 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, three assists and three steals in 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Making his third start of the playoffs, Sheppard scored exactly 17 points for the third time while sinking at least four three-pointers. In the one game he didn't start, the second-year guard failed to score a point at all in 11 minutes. With Kevin Durant (ankle) banged up and the Rockets needing all the offense they can get to avoid elimination, Sheppard will likely be in the starting five again for Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Back in starting lineup Friday
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Sheppard ended with 17 points (6-21 FG, 4-13 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals in 46 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Sheppard moved back into the starting lineup after Kevin Durant was earlier ruled out with an ankle injury. While it was a much-improved performance by Sheppard, it ultimately wasn't enough, with Houston losing in overtime. The two teams will meet again in Game 4 on Sunday, when the Rockets will look to force a Game 5 back in Los Angeles.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Starting Game 3
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Sheppard will start Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.
After coming off the bench and playing just 11 minutes in Tuesday's Game 2 loss, Sheppard will return to the first unit. The second-year guard started Saturday's Game 1 loss, during which he posted 17 points, eight assists, one rebound, one steal and one block in 36 minutes.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Not starting Tuesday
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Sheppard won't start Tuesday's Game 2 against the Lakers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
With Kevin Durant (knee) back in the lineup, Sheppard will slide to the second unit. Over 61 regular-season appearances off the bench, he averaged 12.9 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 24.8 minutes per contest.
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Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Hits for 19 points in win
Rotowire
Sheppard racked up 19 points (7-18 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 26 minutes during Sunday's 132-101 win over Memphis.
With Houston's starters taking a seat during the regular-season finale, Sheppard stepped into the first unit. It's a familiar path for Sheppard, who started 21 times this season and is often the preferred candidate at the point guard position. The team could go with Sheppard or Josh Okogie as they begin the first-round series with the Lakers, but Sheppard should log significant minutes in either event.
